Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of inhibiting viral activity in a cell, the methods generally involving contacting the cell with a soluble CD137 polypeptide or a FAM3C polypeptide. The present disclosure provides methods for treating a virus infection in an individual, the methods generally involving administering to the individual an effective amount of a soluble CD137 polypeptide or a FAM3C polypeptide.

Abstract: A newly discovered family of AIDS-associated viruses, designated ARV, is described. The viruses were isolated from AIDS patients from San Francisco and (a) are type D retroviruses; (b) have Mg.sup.++ --dependent reverse transcriptase activity; (c) induce human multinucleated cells without immortalizing the cells; (d) are replicable in HUT-78 human T cells; and (e) induce viral protein(s) in HUT-78 that binds to Ig from AIDS patients. The infected HUT-78 cells and immunogenic polypeptides derived from the viruses are useful for diagnosing AIDS.

Abstract: A newly discovered family of AIDS-associated viruses, designated ARV, is described. The viruses were isolated from AIDS patients from San Francisco and (a) are type D retroviruses; (b) have Mg.sup.++ -dependent reverse transcriptase activity; (c) induce human multinucleated cells without immortalizing the cells; (d) are replicable in HUT-78 human T cells; and (e) induce viral protein(s) in HUT-78 that binds to Ig from AIDS patients. The infected HUT-78 cells and immunogenic polypeptides derived from the viruses are useful for diagnosing AIDS.

Abstract: A protein secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and specifically from CD8.sup.+ lymphocytes is purified and characterized here and designated CD8.sup.+ cell antiviral factor (CAF). The CAF is lipid free and has been found to inhibit the replication of retroviruses and in particular to inhibit the replication of HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV. CAF can be used to inhibit viral RNA transcription which inhibits vital replication. Accordingly, CAF can be used to treat patients infected with retroviruses. The CAF can also generate antibodies which can be used to create assay devices for detecting CAF in a body fluid and on the surface of CD8.sup.+ cells to determine the condition of an HIV infected individual.

Abstract: A protein secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear specifically from CD8.sup.+ lymphocytes is purified and characterized here and designated CD8.sup.+ cell antiviral factor (CAF). The CAF is lipid free and has been found to inhibit the replication of retroviruses and in particular to inhibit the replication of HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV. CAF can be used to inhibit viral RNA transcription which inhibits viral replication. Accordingly, CAF can be used to treat patients infected with retroviruses. The CAF can also generate antibodies which can be used to create assay devices for detecting CAF in a body fluid and on the surface of CD8.sup.+ cells to determine the condition of an HIV infected individual.

Abstract: A protein secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and specifically from CD8.sup.+ lyphocytes is purified and characterized here and designated CD8.sup.+ cell antiviral factor (CAF). The CAF is lipid free, has a molecular weight of less than 30,000 and has been found to inhibit the replication of retroviruses and in particular to inhibit the replication of HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV. CAF can be used to inhibit viral RNA transcription which inhibits viral replication. Accordingly, CAF can be used to treat patients infected with retroviruses. The CAF can also generate antibodies which can be used to create assay reagents for detecting CAF in a body fluid and on the surface of CD8.sup.+ cells to determine the condition of an HIV infected individual.

Abstract: Strains of HIV-2 capable of infecting humans and non-human primates such as baboons and causing an immune system disease are disclosed. The HIV-2 strain are used to infect non-human primates which infected primates present symptoms of a disease of the immune system and are used to test drugs, e.g., anti-virals and/or vaccines for their ability to treat and/or prevent lentiviral infections such as HIV infections. Useful strains are HIV-2.sub.UC2, HIV-2.sub.UC12 and HIV-2.sub.UC14 and preferred non-human primates are baboons.

Abstract: The subject invention permits diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by analyzing peripheral blood mononuclear cell subset populations and activation markers. A positive diagnosis for CFS is associated with an increase in the percentage of CD8+ cells showing CD38 or HLA-DR cell markers or a decrease in CD11b markers in CD8+ cells. The analysis is preferably performed using fluorochrome-labelled monoclonal antibodies specific for a determinant of the above subset cells and activation markers.

Abstract: The subject invention permits diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by analyzing peripheral blood mononuclear cell subset populations and activation markers. A positive diagnosis for CFS is associated with an increase in the percentage of CD8+ cells showing CD38 or HLA-DR cell markers or a decrease in CD11b markers in CD8+ cells. The analysis is preferably performed using fluorochrome-labelled monoclonal antibodies specific for a determinant of the above subset cells and activation markers.

Abstract: A newly discovered family of AIDS-associated viruses, designated ARV, is described. The viruses were isolated from AIDS patients from San Francisco and (a) are type D retroviruses; (b) have Mg.sup.++ -dependent reverse transcriptase activity; (c) induce human multinucleated cells without immortalizing the cells; (d) are replicable in HUT-78 human T cells; and (e) induce viral protein(s) in HUT-78 that binds to Ig from AIDS patients. The infected HUT-78 cells and immunogenic polypeptides derived from the viruses are useful for diagnosing AIDS.